An interesting article from the Western Mail -

New tree species unearthed as pioneer celebrated

Feb 24 2009 by Steve Dube, Western Mail

EVOLUTION in action can be seen in 14 new species or hybrids of trees newly discovered in the British Isles.

Six of the newcomers identified by UK botanists can be found only or mostly in Wales and one, motley’s whitebeam (sorbus motleyi) is a completely new hybrid consisting of just two young trees near Merthyr Tydfil.

“The announcement of motley’s whitebeam this year is timely as we celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth and 150 years since the publication of On the Origins of Species,” said Dr Tim Rich, head of vascular plants at the National Museum Wales, who named the new tree.

“This tree is an example of evolution in action.

“It originated as a cross between the very rare ley’s whitebeam and a rowan in a wood near Merthyr Tydfil after the 1989 hurricane created the right conditions for it.”

One of the few remaining ley’s whitebeams was blown down in the 1989 hurricane and the extra light from the gap in the woodland canopy allowed seeds in the soil to germinate and grow.

The hybrid was first found in 1999 by Graham Motley of the Countryside Council for Wales when he was monitoring the ley’s whitebeam, and is named after him.

It can now be seen at the National Botanic Garden of Wales near Carmarthen.

Dr Rich led a group of botanists at National Museum Cardiff, working with scientists from Bristol University, Exeter University, Oxford University and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the search for the newcomers, which were named officially last week in Watsonia, the scientific journal of the Botanical Society of the British Isles.

As well as motley’s whitebeam, the new Welsh types have been named Welsh whitebeam, Llangollen whitebeam, stirton’s whitebeam, Llanthony Valley whitebeam and Doward whitebeam.

Some have been named after the botanists who found them, others after where they were discovered and others according to what they look like.

All are rare and need to be protected.

Stirton’s whitebeam (sorbus stirtoniana) can be found wild in one place in the world – on the cliffs of Craig Breidden, Montgomeryshire, where there are about 40.

The variety has been named in honour of Professor Charles Stirton in recognition of his inspirational work in establishing the National Botanic Garden of Wales, which now holds some of the trees in cultivation.

Llangollen whitebeam (sorbus cuneifolia) is a rarity that probably evolved from the English whitebeam.

It is confined to the cliffs of Eglwyseg Mountain, Denbighshire, where there are about 240 plants.

About 100 Welsh whitebeam (sorbus cambrensis) are found in the Brecon Beacons west of Abergavenny and is closely related to the Llanthony Valley whitebeam (sorbus stenophylla).

Biochemical studies have shown these two species differ from each other and from the more widespread grey-leaved whitebeam, which they were formally thought to be.

The Llanthony Valley whitebeam was first found in 1874 by the Rev Augustin Ley and there are thought to be up to 200 plants in the valley.

Doward whitebeam (sorbus eminentiformis) is known only from the Wye Valley in England and Wales.

There are probably less than 100 trees.

The new finds, in addition to seven new types in England and one in Ireland are all members of the sorbus group, which includes whitebeams, rowans and service trees, and they increase the number of this type of tree by over 50%.

“Some of these trees have probably developed recently and are examples of on-going evolution of new species,” said Dr Rich.

“Others are older types which have been known for some time but are only now described as species thanks to modern DNA methods.”

Specimens of the trees are held in the Welsh National Herbarium at the National Museum Cardiff, and three of the Welsh species – stirton’s whitebeam, motley’s whitebeam and Welsh whitebeam can be seen growing at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

The project was primarily funded by The Leverhulme Foundation and the National Museum Wales, with contributions from Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

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